advisable safety tips living in the cities specifically HCMC.

14POSTS

11 years ago

I hate this to be my first post.. ,but I've always felt safety was ALWAYS a priority.聽聽Anyhoo, maybe it's taboo to speak of such things.聽 I want to discuss the potential dangers and advisable saftey tips living in the cities specifically HCMC.聽

Here is a link I found regarding the dangers in the city:

Anyone have any good advice besides not talking on your phone while walking on the street?

See also

Accommodation in Hai Phong - Guide
Will be living in HCMC for 6 months - 2 Replies
Libraries in Vietnam (Specifically Ho Chi Minh City) - 2 Replies
Best cities to live in Vietnam - 59 Replies
Living in Halong Bay/City - 28 Replies
Road safety tips - 21 Replies
Living in HCMC - 2 Replies

Jaitch Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

How come so many NON COMMERCIAL links disappear under review?

charmavietnam ViP

2841POSTS

11 years ago

Because the Op is a newbie here. Be patient and post more. One day your link will display directly聽

Jaitch Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

charmavietnam wrote:
Because the Op is a newbie here. Be patient and post more. One day your link will display directly

Nice theory - I've seen many others disappear, too. Google cache is great.

I keep an eye on duty mods. too.

Dejavu.dot Serial expat

981POSTS

11 years ago

Hi,

You know when I started driving the bike, policemen caught me twice. I understand that mistakes make people remember what to do. Just live here for one year and you will understand all the rules we know.

Regards

ngattt Serial expat

922POSTS

11 years ago

Yes, there are many dangers here, specially where is crowded. Some years ago, I went to Dalat and attended flower festival. My boyfriend was stolen his camera. While we were driving on the road in Hanoi, a man robbed my bag, I was lost many things and all documents. After we got married, we went to Hanoi by bus, he was pick his wallet, lost much money (after wedding) and lost all his documents. And in this Tet's holiday, when we were on Nguyen Hue street, many people were visiting flower road; and a pickpocket stolen his smartphone in his pocket.

There are 2 times we lost all documents, but the robbers threw them somewhere, and luckily, we retrieved all because we had our mobile number in our bag/wallet.

And now, I never dare go somewhere with him again聽

! Hmmm... When I drive on the street, I keep everything in trunk of SCR motobike. I bought this bike because of the big trunk, I dont like it though.

So, if you live here, be careful with all this.

virgoks Active member

95POSTS

11 years ago

I believe you will find some useful tips in several categories of daily life in this post
It's in Vietnamese, so all you have to do is to convert it into English with the built-in Google translation tool.

@Ngattt: You are scaring our expat friends with your very 'costly' stories

. Anyway, it also explains why 'cautious' people (like me haha) choose to live in peaceful Hue

Beyondthesee Member

14POSTS

11 years ago

virgoks wrote:
I believe you will find some useful tips in several categories of daily life in this post
It's in Vietnamese, so all you have to do is to convert it into English with the built-in Google translation tool.

@Ngattt: You are scaring our expat friends with your very 'costly' stories . Anyway, it also explains why 'cautious' people (like me haha) choose to live in peaceful Hue

Yes, I have to say this at least once and that Vietnam is a rich and beautiful place!聽 Just like any city or country there are goods and bads. I just wanted a list on tips or guidelines in avoiding situations that put you in that place.聽 People here are very friendly and hold the treatment of others in high regard.

Some I've heard of, but once again.. these are heresay...

- If you are having a drink at a bar or with someone you don't know and go to the bathroom.. don't finish that drink left on the table.

- the freaks come out at night.聽 You may turn into a pumpkin or have some unwanted situations occur.聽 11:00pm - to dusk are the witching hours.. but the dark in general and lonely places are a recipe for unsightly romances with strangers.

ngattt Serial expat

922POSTS

11 years ago

@Virgoks: yes, I know. But they need to know, robbers are everywhere here in Vietnam.
Ah, I forgot this story. When we went to D10 to buy mobile, our motorbike was far from us about 15metres, while we were concentrating on some beautiful mobile, a guy was going to steal the bike, it was locked already. Luckily, his key was broken. Only this time we didnt lose anything, just lost 15.000vnd to repair the bike and some money for mobile. Thanks God... Maybe its our fate when we were together, we lost much money not only for robber... and thats why we are poor until now...

Once, I were working, a student came to teacher's room, he was very sad: teacher, I've just lost my motorbike, I locked it alreay, only about 10mins. Poor him. He's just come here from Tra Vinh with his small daughter: (.

Jaitch Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#10

ngattt wrote:
@Virgoks: yes, I know. But they need to know, robbers are everywhere here in Vietnam.
Ah, I forgot this story. When we went to D10 to buy mobile, our motorbike was far from us about 15metres, while we were concentrating on some beautiful mobile, a guy was going to steal the bike, it was locked already. Luckily, his key was broken. Only this time we didnt lose anything, just lost 15.000vnd to repair the bike and some money for mobile. Thanks God... Maybe its our fate when we were together, we lost much money not only for robber... and thats why we are poor until now...

Once, I were working, a student came to teacher's room, he was very sad: teacher, I've just lost my motorbike, I locked it alreay, only about 10mins. Poor him. He's just come here from Tra Vinh with his small daughter: (.

I am travel & stay in Vietnam now for about 10 Year, go to many places day and night but not one time any thing was stolen from me or from my wife or from my bike???? I think it`s all about behavior?

2 members reacted to this post

zanchun Contributor

148POSTS

11 years ago

#11

There are bad guys and good guys all over the world, not only in Vietnam. You should take care of yourself.

I think here are some notice for expats in Vietnam
1. Stay away from crowd : You may lose your pocket, valuable things in your bags. Keep all important documents & money in your waist bag.
2. Your bike will be stolen even they are locked : You should go to places where there is a guard or motorbike keeper.
3. Never wear luxury jewelry especially a necklace聽 : You will be noticed soon by robbers or thieves, they will pull your necklace out of your neck, you will both lose your lovely necklace and get injured.
4. Never wear a bag when you 're biking even there are only stuffs in your bag : The robber will pull it very hard, you may fall from your motorbike and get accident. I see a lot of women wearing bag on motorbike, very very dangerous for them.

聽聽 As Ngatt said in post above, you should have a motorbike with large trunk and put everything in it.
5. Wearing black glass will make you more mysterious : bad guys may stay away from you

Just some notices, then enjoy your life in our peaceful country !

ngattt Serial expat

922POSTS

11 years ago

#12

Yes maybe we are not careful. There are something that I cant write clearly right now, because I foget many words and I am using mobile to write this

. But when we lost something, its all after we were going out the first time together or the first time he took a bus in Hanoi... And the last time we lost is the last time we went out together...

And now, I always keep everything in the trunk of my motorbike.

Jaitch Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#13

Securing a motorcycle is simple. Get an Inox (stainless steel) chain, cover it with plastic sleeving. Add a large lock (German best).

Then run the chain through the wheels and across the foot area and secure to a manhole cover.

Even Cong An have problems with this.

If your motorcycle gets seized it is almost guaranteed the accessories and other goodies will be stolen.

Kymco motorcycles have locking bike stands and replacement keys can only come from them.

I also have a concealed sense switch that has to be touched (discretely) before the starter motor will cycle.

2 members reacted to this post

DanFromSF Serial expat

615POSTS

11 years ago

#14

Hopefully the switch can be operated discreetly, too.

James ViP

11272POSTS

11 years ago

#15

Jaitch wrote:
How come so many NON COMMERCIAL links disappear under review?

New members have never been able to post outside links, this is nothing new. Part of the Automated Anti-spam System.

3 members reacted to this post

DanFromSF Serial expat

615POSTS

11 years ago

#16

zanchun wrote:
4. Never wear a bag when you 're biking even there are only stuffs in your bag : The robber will pull it very hard, you may fall from your motorbike and get accident. I see a lot of women wearing bag on motorbike, very very dangerous for them.

As a man, I wonder if we're targeted the same way as women.聽 I'll often have a laptop or camera bag strapped across my body (bag in front) while riding a motorbike in HCM, but nobody has ever tried anything.聽 I wonder if it's because being a well-fed foreigner, I'm probably 50 pounds heavier than most Vietnamese guys, and they're just as likely to go down if they try something, maybe even more likely.聽

What do you think about this?

DanFromSF Serial expat

615POSTS

11 years ago

#17

wjwoodward wrote:
New members have never been able to post outside links, this is nothing new. Part of the Automated Anti-spam System.

Makes perfect sense and I appreciate the forum not allowing new members being able to post links at-will.聽 The amount of forum spam is bad enough as it is.聽 I can only imagine what it would be like if anybody could sign up and post links without review.

zanchun Contributor

148POSTS

11 years ago

#18

DanFromSF wrote:
zanchun wrote:
4. Never wear a bag when you 're biking even there are only stuffs in your bag : The robber will pull it very hard, you may fall from your motorbike and get accident. I see a lot of women wearing bag on motorbike, very very dangerous for them.

As a man, I wonder if we're targeted the same way as women.聽 I'll often have a laptop or camera bag strapped across my body (bag in front) while riding a motorbike in HCM, but nobody has ever tried anything.聽 I wonder if it's because being a well-fed foreigner, I'm probably 50 pounds heavier than most Vietnamese guys, and they're just as likely to go down if they try something, maybe even more likely.聽

What do you think about this?

Sure that the robber will ignore strong men . They'd rather look for women with bags, necklaces... who're weaker, easier for them to rob.

Jaitch Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#19

wjwoodward wrote:
New members have never been able to post outside links, this is nothing new. Part of the Automated Anti-spam System.

Dumb system - if they don't reappear - even new members can supply good links.

My point is why aren't they reviewed and reinstated if appropriate?

eodmatt ViP

1418POSTS

11 years ago

#20

My wife had her bag snatched a couple of years ago in HCM. There were two men on a motorcycle and she realised that if she fought back she could be seriously hurt even though she does Kung Fu.

Thieves will rarely pick on someone who looks able to give a good account of them selves instead, the cowards that they are pic on women, kids, sick and old people.

Like terrorists, thieves prefer poorly defended targets. Tourists are an easy target too as they are often simply not as aware of their environment here as they might be at home.

Last year an elderly American friend asked me to advise him of what to do, where to go and how to be safe in Vietnam. I gave him all the usual advice including a warning not to use taxis other than Vina Sun or Mai Linh. He forgot my advice and flagged a taxi down in the street. The driver took him a long way from where he wanted to go and when my friend protested the taxi driver sprayed him with CS gas or similar, robbed him and left him laying in the street. Local people helped him, but it was too late, the taxi had gone and with it, my friends wallet and cash. He was badly shaken by the experience.

1 member reacted to this post

Jaitch Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#21

DanFromSF wrote:
... I'll often have a laptop or camera bag strapped across my body (bag in front) while riding a motorbike in HCM, but nobody has ever tried anything.

Crime here is one of opportunity rather than pre-planned.

And awareness of your surroundings, helps.

VNese are great 'watchers', they study Foreigner habits. They see valuables kept in convenient one-location bum bags; they see where the 'big' money is kept; who is wearing 'snatch' jewellery.

So many Foreigners act as if they are at home, they carry their iThingy in their hand and then, surprise, someone snatches it from them. Or someone is using a convenient belt 'clip' for their cell - and invitation waiting to be accepted.

How about two Phu My Hung matrons who went to a movie at the Crescent Mall and, when seated, placed their purses on the floor. Some agile local crawls along the floor behind and pinches the women's purses. Surprised? Shouldn't be - they made the opportunity.

Then, again at Crescent Mall, a 'breast pincher' area, a woman is 'assaulted' and when distracted, the thief makes off with her goodies.

Having a stranger trades person visit your home? Out with the sheets - dust sheets - and cover up valuables. I don't even invite Cong An in to my house.

I live in a VNese area, on purpose. Everyone knows me and if they see someone with me, that person's image goes on the locals memory 'list' as OK. Easy to make friends with them, just hand out fruit, pencils or paper to the children. Use alarms and let people know what the sound is.

I know a couple of EVN bill payers - who drive around with tens of millions of Dong to pay out - they never get robbed because they dress down and keep money in old, worn brief cases.

As for wearing camera and computer bags - they advertise themselves! Put them on a Co-op Mart plastic bag and they will be ignored. And wrap the shoulder straps around the handle bars.

All my 'carry' items have been modified, I have Inox/stainless steel wire sewn into or under straps to make things impossible to cut.

1 member reacted to this post

Christine ViP

42879POSTS

11 years ago

#22

Jaitch wrote:
wjwoodward wrote:
New members have never been able to post outside links, this is nothing new. Part of the Automated Anti-spam System.

Dumb system - if they don't reappear - even new members can supply good links.

My point is why aren't they reviewed and reinstated if appropriate?

the link here has been reviewed and approved. When you see link is under review means that our team will review it and validate it if it is appropriate. Now, if you need more details about our procedure. please contact me to avoid off topic on the thread. Thank you.

Jaitch Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#23

I carry Hot Pepper spray and stay away from bad places late at night. My Camera is $5000. Somebody will die if they try to take it. More undercover cops need to be circulating in the city.聽 I have less problems in Thailand which is more Buddhist than Vietnam.... When I walk with a pretty girl, The girl gets dirty remarks from the low life VN men. This is not true of Thailand!!!聽 Smarter men in Thailand!!!聽 Malaysia and Manila are known for pick pockets. Always carry your wallet in your front pocket only take what you need. One credit at most or better yet only leave it at home and take no more than $50 and an old drivers license. My lady friend uses a old plastic bag for her iPad and cell phone, She is VN and been robbed 2 times and that was the end of carrying a purse. They got her Mac Book Pro and iPhone. This City has a large number of VN doper men that don't work and they need to be weeded out by the Police. It's not true all places are unsafe!! Some places are 100% safer than Saigon. I use the City as a Hub to travel to better places, Saigon is super Hot and Smoggy and their are better places to Live.

Jaitch Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#24

no1eyeno wrote:
I carry Hot Pepper spray and stay away from bad places late at night.

Chili oil, from Chinese chili - the one with crushed seeds in oil (dark brown) - is great. Have squeeze bottles in my 4-wheel and my motorcycle.

no1eyeno wrote:
More undercover cops need to be circulating in the city.

There are many u/c cops - you likely don't know how to recognise them. If they are in your living area you might. They arrive early in the day and leave late at night. They also carry Tetra 2-way radio's - usually in a back-pocket or under their loose shirt. They also carry thumb cuffs.

no1eyeno wrote:
The girl gets dirty remarks from the low life VN men.

Jealously and a deviant mind. Been like that for years. I used to train people at night back in the day and then walk them home. One tough cutie I was accompanying turned around and gave the guy a mouthful and he scurried away. She would never translate what she said.

no1eyeno wrote:
Always carry your wallet in your front pocket only take what you need.

NEVER carry a wallet - nice and smooth to slip out of your pocket. I keep big notes and my cards in an airline 'night bag' and my small money in another pocket. It's why I like coins - hard to steal. I also wear Tilley pants - they have 'secret' pockets and Velcro on pocket flaps with a dummy button on top.

1 member reacted to this post

Jaitch Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#25

Hello Jaitch, Thank You for the tips. There is red dye in the new pepper spray so the Police can identify the attacker.
I like your money carrying techniques. I really enjoy the food in SGN and met some very nice people there. I am cool in moving around the city but haven't the courage to drive a Scooter there.聽 I rent a scooter in Da Lat and Nha Trang for touring and doing my Photography.

Brewbaker Member

3POSTS

11 years ago

#26

When i first came to VN some 11 years ago, there wasent the crime that there is now. Unfortunatly Vietnam seems to turned into a nation of thieves. I live in Nha Trang and motoebikes are stolen all the time. Also the most popular crime is handbag snaching. Me and my wife have experianced this, when two guys grabed my wifes bag, nearly pulling her off the motorbike. Now we always put her bag under the seat where it can't be seen. We also have had someone come into the house and take her purse while we were up stairs. Shoes go missing if we leave them outside, it seems nothing is safe anymore. Heroin seems like a big problem now, we dont see many police taking care of people, bag snaches are normal everyday lfe ( shame )

Jaitch Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#27

no1eyeno wrote:
There is red dye in the new pepper spray so the Police can identify the attacker.

Remember, 'Pepper Spray' - the canned type - is an offensive weapon under VN laws and can get you arrested. This why I carry chili oil - for my dining pleasure - of course.

Nha Trang was a nice resort 15 years ago, these days it is more like SaiGon by the Sea. The casino, and the land racket surrounding it, didn't help.

Tourists might bring money into a destination, but they also bring big headaches for the citizens.

jimbream Serial expat

693POSTS

11 years ago

#28

Pink Elephant?

What a lark!
Now all the of the many Vietnamese readers will be using the expression聽 'Pink Elephant ' when they discuss an issue that is avoided.

A Pink Elephant is a euphemism for drunken hallucinations.
And not one foreigner deemed it necessary to correct the OP.

lirelou Serial expat

393POSTS

11 years ago

#29

Well, maybe the "elephant in the room" was drunk. ;-)

By he way, up in the Highlands in areas of heavy laterite soil, elephants can take on a pinkish hue from the dust.

faddat Member

15POSTS

11 years ago

#30

Uh, you guys are actually not being sarcastic about the wallets & makeshift chili oil spray, are you?聽聽Uh, I suppose I ought be a tad better prepared, then or the Nexus isn't going to be the last thing that will get nabbed.....

Jaitch Guest

0POSTS

11 years ago

#31

faddat wrote:
Uh, you guys are actually not being sarcastic about the wallets & makeshift chili oil spray, are you?

We, or at least I, are serious.

I even recommend steering into someone who is trying to rob you, or slamming on your brakes.

I never use a wallet in VN, their shapes are too distinctive and they can easily be slipped out of a pocket. Don't wear a watch, don't play with your cell handset - if you want to make a call, go lean in a corner or make friends with a lamp-pole聽 - with the handset between you and the hard object.

Vietnamese are not touchy-friendly before they get to know you. If some stranger gets friendly - watch out.

Always be aware of your surroundings, too.